Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff #16 fumbles the Baal as he is hit by Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill #54 as Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley #30 misses the block in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill #54 celebrates after forcing Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff #16 to fumble as Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Rodger Saffold #76 looks on the ball in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley #30 leaps over Philadelphia Eagles free safety Corey Graham #24 on a first down run in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley #30 runs for a first down and away from Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Haloti Ngata #94 in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley #30 celebrates his touchdown run with Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Rob Havenstein #79 against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles #43 runs through the arm tackle of Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald #99 in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman #23 tries to bring down Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Golden Tate #19 after the catch in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff #16 changes the play at the line against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald #99 celebrates after Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters #71 jumps off side in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Marcus Peters #22 breaks up a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor #13 in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams strong safety John Johnson #43 and Los Angeles Rams defensive end Michael Brockers #90 stop Philadelphia Eagles running back Josh Adams #33 on a short run in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams free safety Lamarcus Joyner #20 trips up Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz #86 after the catch in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley #30 runs against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley #30 leaps out of play and avoids Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Tre Sullivan #37 in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman #23 tries to bring down Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Golden Tate #19 after the catch in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Philadelphia Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood #28 celebrates after his short touchdown run against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Rams quarterback Jared Goff loses the ball as he is hit by Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff #16 fumbles the Baal as he is hit by Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill #54 as Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley #30 misses the block and Philadelphia Eagles free safety Corey Graham #24 fumble recovery in the air in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Philadelphia Eagles fans were flying after the a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley #30 celebrates his touchdown run with Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee #89 against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams nose tackle Ndamukong Suh #93 stops Philadelphia Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood #28 on a run in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams nose tackle Ndamukong Suh #93 hits Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles #9 after the pass in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott #4 misses a field goal as Los Angeles Rams nose tackle Ndamukong Suh #93 and Los Angeles Rams defensive end Michael Brockers #90 try to block it in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver JoJo Natson #19 fumbles the punt return in front of Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert #88 as the Rams turn the ball over in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles #9 passes against Los Angeles Rams in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Josh Reynolds #83 is unable to make the catch on the last play of the game as Philadelphia Eagles free safety Avonte Maddox #29 defends at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Rams running back Todd Gurley runs for a first down and away from Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Haloti Ngata in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams strong safety John Johnson #43 uses Manuel Herrera’s phone to take a selfie of them before playing the Philadelphia Eagles at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Philadelphia Eagles offensive guard Chance Warmack #67 heads to the locker room after warming up to platy the Rams in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams strong safety John Johnson #43 reacts after just missing an interception against Philadelphia Eagles in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Philadelphia Eagles fans celebrate the Philadelphia Eagles victory over the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery #17 makes the first down catch as Los Angeles Rams cornerback Marcus Peters #22 falls in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Cory Littleton #58 pulls down Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery #17 after the catch in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Josh Reynolds #83 is stoped short of the goal line by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Rasul Douglas #32 after the catch in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Shelton Gibson #18 is hit and stoped by by Los Angeles Rams running back Justin Davis #33 on the punt return in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods #17 runs for a first down after the catch against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long #56 takes down Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods #17 after the first down catch in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long #56 takes down Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods #17 after the first down catch in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles #9 has time to throw as Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson #65 blocks Los Angeles Rams nose tackle Ndamukong Suh #93 in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, squats as he waits for the snap of the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams cheerleader performs between quarters in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman #23 leads players on the to play the Philadelphia Eagles at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Fireworks fill the sky over the coliseum during the national anthem at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods #17 listens to Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay before the start of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles #43 avoids Los Angeles Rams cornerback Sam Shields #37 on a punt return in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott #4 kicks a field goal over the Philadelphia Eagles defensive line in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox #91 sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff #16 in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth #77 blocks Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long #56 as Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff #16 looks to pass the ball in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Deiondre’ Hall #36 celebrates the victory over the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

LOS ANGELES – That magical night against Kansas City is one that Rams fans will never forget, which is good, because it’s starting to feel more like a period than a comma, particularly for quarterback Jared Goff.

The Rams, right now, are broken. The level of external panic will be elevated beyond necessity, because poor play is now a trend, not a blip. The Rams can be fixed, and they have enough time to do it, but there’s a lot of work to be down after their mostly dismal 30-23 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday at the Coliseum.

The Rams (11-3) have lost consecutive regular-season games for the first time in two seasons under Coach Sean McVay and almost certainly have lost their chance to claim the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs with two games remaining. Their best hope now is a 2-0 finish and a first-round bye.

“We’ve got to be able to figure this out, and figure it out fast,” McVay said, “because these last couple weeks, we’re doing things that are totally uncharacteristic of what good football teams do, what we’ve done.”

Philadelphia (7-7), which came in as a 13-point underdog, broke open a game that was tied 13-13 at halftime with 17 consecutive points, as Goff threw a terrible second-half interception that caused the game to snowball against the Rams for a while.

The Rams scrambled back late and pulled within a touchdown on Todd Gurley’s 1-yard scoring run with 4:06 to play. The Rams’ defense held Philadelphia to a three-and-out on the ensuing possession, but JoJo Natson flat-out dropped the ball on a punt return and the Eagles took over at the Rams’ 36.

“Fluke play. I tried to switch the ball and it came out. Fluke play,” Natson said. “I’m just trying to make a play for the team. You know what I’m saying?”

Again, the Rams’ defense stiffened, and Goff and the offense got one more chance after the Eagles missed a 53-yard field goal attempt. The Rams took over with 1:08 to play and no timeouts, and Goff quickly got them down to the Eagles’ 18 yard-line. But his pass intended in the end zone for Josh Reynolds sailed high and incomplete on the game’s final play.

But until those two last-ditch drives, the Rams were clearly out of sync, especially on offense. During one stretch, they went eight consecutive possessions without a touchdown.

“We’ve got two weeks until the playoffs,” Goff said, “so we’ve got two weeks to figure it out. I don’t think it’s much. It’s little things here and there. I need to do a better job and we need to do a better job across the board.”

Where even to begin? The Rams followed that breathtaking victory over the Chiefs last month with a bye and they’ve been bye-bye ever since, certainly on offense, and with mixed results on defense.

Goff, beset by more porous offensive-line play that he’s become accustomed to since the start of 2017, looks lost – particularly when pressured – and the receivers, who not long ago dazzled with zig-zag routes all over the field, now look pretty run-of-the-mill. Gurley, who left the game in the second half with a knee injury but later returned, no longer is dominating games.

Gurley led the Rams with 76 receiving yards (on 10 catches) and had two rushing touchdowns, but ran for only 48 yards on 12 carries. McVay said after the game that Gurley would have his knee “checked out.”

“I returned, so I was fine,” Gurley said.

Perhaps this is some prolonged rope-a-dope by the Rams, since they’ve already clinched the NFC West and can secure a first-round playoff bye by winning season-ending games vs. Arizona and San Francisco. Yet it sure doesn’t feel that way for a team that seems to have lost its way, and that starts with Goff.

Since the bye, Goff has looked more like the tentative, battered 2016 rookie than last year’s All-Pro player and the MVP candidate of this season’s first two-plus months. Goff completed 35 of 54 attempts for 239 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions, one week after an awful showing against Chicago.

“We’ve all got to be better,” McVay said when asked about Goff. “He’s got to make some better decisions. … He’s trying to make plays. We learn from all our mistakes, and that’s players and coaches alike, but there’s certainly some things that we can look at and we’ve got to be better. Everybody.”
Rams quarterback Jared Goff loses the ball as he is hit by Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Too often, an uncomfortable-looking Goff either threw off his back foot, looked like he was expecting to be sacked, or both. An offensive line that has allowed too much pressure to come up the middle certainly carries some responsibility, but for a third consecutive week, the Rams looked out of sorts on offense.

The worst moment came late in the third quarter, when Goff had his foot stepped on by center John Sullivan, then attempted an ill-advised, off-balance heave that was intercepted. The Eagles scored two plays later to take a 30-13 lead.

The Rams actually led 7-3 at the end of the first quarter Sunday. Then they failed to score a touchdown until the end of the game, and their defense didn’t look particularly impressive either.

For much of the game, the Eagles – with backup quarterback Nick Foles in for Carson Wentz – carved the Rams’ defense with off-tackle runs and deep balls to wide-open receivers. Foles, last season’s Super Bowl MVP, looked like a calm veteran in his first start since September and, after the game was tied 13-13 at halftime, the Eagles scored 17 consecutive points.

“I think we’re in a slump right now, but it’s been worse over here,” guard Rodger Saffold said. “Around this time last year, we had four or five losses. That’s something to think about. At the end of the day, everything is right in front of us and we still control our own destiny. We still have the playoff picture in mind.”

The Rams generated some hope late in the first quarter when they actually scored a touchdown. They’d gone 14 consecutive possessions without one, and it seemed they’d found a flow with a Gurley-led attack.

Not so much. Gurley had seven carries and three receptions on the Rams’ first two drives, compared to a total of 14 touches last week, and the Rams held the ball for 8:55 in the first quarter, but it didn’t last.

The Rams led 7-3 after Gurley’s 9-yard touchdown run with 1:16 left in the first quarter, and then 7-6 after a nice red-zone stand by the defense. The Rams then marched to the Eagles’ 14, but on first down, instead of giving the ball to Gurley, McVay called a pass play and the Rams were called for pass interference.

After that, Goff took a sack, the Rams went nowhere and they settled for a field goal and a 10-6 lead. The Eagles took the lead at 13-10 with a touchdown on their next possession, and the Rams tied the game with a field goal as time expired at the end of the first half.

Those looking for a bounce-back game from Goff, who threw four interceptions a week earlier at Chicago, were left waiting. Goff did join Jim Everett, Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger as the only Rams quarterbacks to throw for 4,000 yards in a single season, but he rarely looked comfortable in the pocket.

Perhaps it’s the pass rush, as teams increasingly seem to be getting interior pressure against the Rams’ line. Perhaps it’s the loss of receiver Cooper Kupp to a knee injury, because since he went out, Goff hasn’t seemed entirely comfortable with any target except Robert Woods, and hasn’t shown much chemistry with Josh Reynolds. Perhaps it’s just good defense and some malaise after the Rams clinched a playoff spot.

“That’s just part of the NFL,” Gurley said. “You’re going to have your ups, you’re going to have your downs. You’ve got to take it with a grain of salt and just move on. No one is going to have a great career, every game, every year. He will respond like he always does and he will lead us to win next week.”

Rich Hammond was a high school senior when the Rams left town in 1995, and now he's their beat writer for the Southern California News Group. A native of L.A., Rich broke in at the Daily Breeze as a college freshman and also has covered USC, the Kings, the Lakers and the Dodgers. He still loves sports and telling stories. Don't take the sarcastic tweets too seriously.